Oct 02, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government has delayed the implementation of the Electronic Travel Authorization ((ETA) system till next year in order to address concerns raised by various sectors including the tourism sector.
Deputy Economic Development Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena speaking to ColomboPage said the government had to consider several concerns raised by various sectors and would therefore delay the implementation of the online visas.
Sri Lanka's Immigration and Emigration Department launched the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system Friday to grant prior approval for visa via online for foreign nationals from 78 countries. The system was to take effect from Saturday (01).
One of the main concerns according to the deputy minister is the possible impact on the tourism industry that is currently on an upward trend following the end of the two decade long war.
The government is targeting 2.5 million visitors to the country by 2016 and revenue of US$ 2 billion.
Tourist arrivals in the first eight months of 2011 have increased by 35.2 percent to 537,787, compared to the same period last year. The revenue has also increased by 50 percent in the first seven months to US$ 451.4 million year-on-year.
According to Abeywardena, the on-arrival visas are to remain until the government finalizes the online visa system.
The online visas are to be effective from January 01, 2012.
Source:http://www.colombopage.com/archive_11B/Oct02_1317535927JR.php
Monday, October 3, 2011
Tourism sector hails online visa
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has lauded the launch of an electronic gateway enabling visitors to obtain visas online from any location in the world. This new system launched last Friday at the Galle Face Hotel by External Affairs Ministry Secretary Karunatilake Amunugama will run for a trial period of three months till December 31.
Immigration officials said visitors could apply for online visas during the trial period but payment of visa fees online would come into effect from January 1. The new guidelines for visitors cover visa fees, online visas via the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system and transit visas. It eliminates the visa-on-arrival system for many nationals.
Immigration & Emigration Department Deputy General Manager Nihal Ranasinghe said the trial period was in compliance with a request from the Tourism industry to allow local travel agencies to familiarise themselves with the new system, and to create awareness among the public, prior to full implementation.
Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators President Nilmin Nanayakkara said that any impact on the industry was likely to be “minimal”, and believed that, if this should continue unchanged, it would hold well.
Tourist Hotels Association President Anura Lokuhetty called on the government to utilise the revenue earned from visa fees to promote Sri Lanka.
Travel Agents Association President S. Paramanadan described the new system as ‘fantastic and trouble-free’, but said there was a need to look into reciprocity in the application of visa fees with other countries.
There were others within thse leisure industry who were concerned that the added fees could slow down growth. “In a competitive market (when prices are the key selling points of Sri Lanka’s competing destinations), any increased cost becomes a factor, which would have to be overcome,” one travel trade official said.
Source:http://www.sundaytimes.lk/111002/News/nws_015.html
Immigration officials said visitors could apply for online visas during the trial period but payment of visa fees online would come into effect from January 1. The new guidelines for visitors cover visa fees, online visas via the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system and transit visas. It eliminates the visa-on-arrival system for many nationals.
Immigration & Emigration Department Deputy General Manager Nihal Ranasinghe said the trial period was in compliance with a request from the Tourism industry to allow local travel agencies to familiarise themselves with the new system, and to create awareness among the public, prior to full implementation.
Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators President Nilmin Nanayakkara said that any impact on the industry was likely to be “minimal”, and believed that, if this should continue unchanged, it would hold well.
Tourist Hotels Association President Anura Lokuhetty called on the government to utilise the revenue earned from visa fees to promote Sri Lanka.
Travel Agents Association President S. Paramanadan described the new system as ‘fantastic and trouble-free’, but said there was a need to look into reciprocity in the application of visa fees with other countries.
There were others within thse leisure industry who were concerned that the added fees could slow down growth. “In a competitive market (when prices are the key selling points of Sri Lanka’s competing destinations), any increased cost becomes a factor, which would have to be overcome,” one travel trade official said.
Source:http://www.sundaytimes.lk/111002/News/nws_015.html
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